Health Hub
Having a Dry July has great health benefits. We've brought together a collection of articles that could help you with your Dry July.
How To Get A Good Night Sleep
By Melissa Ingram on
Every single one of us needs to simply stop and recharge – regularly! Most of us have experienced times where stress is high, deadlines are tight and yet we still seem to be able to move mountains. On the flip side, I can guarantee that all of us have also experienced periods of the same pressure yet feel we are not firing on all cylinders – resulting in lower quality of work being produced or it taking longer to complete.
Allow your body enough time each night to recharge. Start with attempting to get 7 – 8 hours of quality sleep every night. We are all different with regards to the amount of sleep we require to operate optimally, however the average 7 – 8 hours is a great place to start. While we sleep we unplug from our lives and environment, allowing our brain to rest, process information gathered throughout the day and to store this information as memory. Our ability to function and be alert is directly related to the amount of restful sleep we have. Try the following 5 tips to get a good night sleep:
1 - Have a regular sleep pattern
Establish a regular bedtime and rising time routine. Through repetition you will train your body and your brain into this pattern.
2 - Keep your bedroom dark
Ensure your bedroom is sufficiently darkened as this will promote uninterrupted sleep.
3 - Neutralise noise
Sleep in a quiet environment. Our brain focuses on the noise around us just in case it proves to be dangerous.
4 - Wind down
Create a routine before going to bed that promotes relaxation. This could include a warm bath, reading a book or drinking warm milk. The amino acid tryptophan in milk helps produce serotonin (happy hormone) and melatonin (sleep hormone).
5 - Switch off
Turn computers and phones off at least an hour before bed. The screens promote wakefulness, so don’t get into the habit of using these devices in bed.
When was the last time you took a holiday, one where you didn’t take your laptop, reports to read, answer work calls, but simply switched everything off? When did you sit down to read a book or watch a movie, enjoy the sunshine in your garden or simply catch up with friends? All of these things recharge our batteries. Select some that connect with you and add then to your life regularly. In no time you will be back moving mountains and firing on all cylinders.
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How to Keep the Good Vibes Going After Dry July. Tips on keeping on cutting down.
By By Veronica Shale at the Dry July NZ Trust, July 2025 on
Kia ora, Dry Julyer! You’ve joined us to be booze-free for a stint. What a legend.
Whether you’re feeling fresher than ever or just chuffed you survived a few dry weekends, we’re here to say: don’t stop now.
You’ve built some awesome habits, and with a few smart tweaks, you can carry those good vibes well beyond July.
So if you're thinking about cutting back on the regular drinkies, here are some realistic, do-able tips (with a side of encouragement and the occasional bad joke).
1. Thirsty? Water first.
Sounds simple, but if you’re parched, you’ll down that first glass of wine or pint like it’s a sports drink after a half-marathon.
Start with a non-alc bevvy (sparkling water, kombucha, or a No Ugly hydrating wellness drink).
2. Sip...
5 Surprising Things That Happen to Your Body When You Give Up Alcohol for a Month
By Chloe Mcleod, Professional Sports Dietitian, Nutrition Consultant and Dry July Ambassador. on
We all love to indulge in alcohol every now and then, but a night out with friends brings social pressures in regards to frequent drinking. It can feel impossible to dodge having a drink when you want to be part of the group vibe - and before you know it, you’re waking up with a dry mouth and a nasty hangover again.
Dry July is a great way to reassess your relationship with alcohol consumption and see the health benefits of taking a month off. By signing up to raise money, you’ll also be helping people with cancer.
Here are a few ways the human body can benefit from abstaining from alcohol for a whole month.
#1 Improvements to mental health
Alcohol may seem like a mood elevator when you’re dancing and having a great time with your friends,...
How to Set Goals
By Melissa Ingram on
Many of us set ourselves tasks and goals to achieve what we feel will make a difference to our lives. Sometimes we find it difficult to achieve these goals as the journey becomes too long, too hard or it simply gets overshadowed by other ‘higher priority’ tasks and therefore these goals are pushed to the side.
Start by asking yourself some simple questions that can help you take control of your life and achieve your goals:
- What are you trying to achieve?
- What are your habits and what do you want to change?
- What have you achieved in life?
- Do you live in the moment?
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What are trying to achieve and what is your ultimate goal? Is it to live cleanly, train for a 10km fun run, sleep better, lose weight, drink more water, change careers, start a...